PORTLAND, Ore. — This story comes from the Portland Business Journal, a KGW news partner. The full story is available here.
Nonprofit organization Albina Vision Trust and the NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers are teaming up to create the Albina Rose Alliance, a partnership that marks a key milestone to reestablish the Lower Albina neighborhood as a hub for Portland’s Black community.
The Trail Blazers are a key participant in this effort as a major property owner in the neighborhood now known as the Rose Quarter. AVT’s goal is to reconnect the 94-acre neighborhood that was isolated by the construction of Interstate 5 and the Memorial Coliseum.
This new alliance will work across four strategic areas, according to the two groups. These are:
- A joint development strategy for Lower Albina, including the Rose Quarter.
- Joint storytelling and communications.
- Joint legislative strategy and advocacy.
- Joint celebration of community through events and gatherings.
“The Portland Trail Blazers have a legacy of connection with the Albina neighborhood and are committed to working in partnership with the Albina Vision Trust to be a positive force for change moving forward,” said Dewayne Hankins, president of business operations for the Trail Blazers and Rip City Management, in a written statement.
“Rip City is a part of the fabric of our community, and reinvestment in Moda Center and the Rose Quarter can be foundational to supporting community-led restorative development efforts throughout Lower Albina.”
The partnership is expected to accelerate the work of AVT, “while deepening the Blazers’ roots in Portland, expanding their impact and transforming Moda Center into a communally integrated event venue,” according to a statement from the two groups.
